@Sam Ray Not aren't both of these things easily explained? The Lakers have nothing to play for since they're locked into the 1 seed. I'd imagine that they, and LeBron, view this mostly as preseason and aren't necessarily putting in the same effort and energy that they will in the playoffs.
As far as his defense, he can still turn it on when he needs to. His numbers are more likely going to look better when he's surrounded by Anthony Davis, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, etc. than last year's sad sack Lakers team and the historically undertalented Cavs defenses that he was playing with.
I get what you're saying - he's obviously not Heatles era LeBron - but I think he still has gas in the tank for a playoff run.
As far as his defense, he can still turn it on when he needs to. His numbers are more likely going to look better when he's surrounded by Anthony Davis, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, etc. than last year's sad sack Lakers team and the historically undertalented Cavs defenses that he was playing with.
I get what you're saying - he's obviously not Heatles era LeBron - but I think he still has gas in the tank for a playoff run.